Discover Shikoku: practical guide to explore the island at 88 temples

Located south of Honshu and east of Kyushu, Shikoku is the smallest of Japan’s four major islands. It seduces with its rural landscapes, wooded mountains, coastal villages and rich spiritual heritage. Far from traditional tourist routes, it offers an immersion in a deep-rooted regional culture, carried by living traditions and welcoming residents. This guide helps you understand the geography of the island, organize your trips, explore its four prefectures and follow the traces of the most emblematic pilgrimage in the country.

Understanding Shikoku: Geography and Identity

Shikoku is surrounded by the inland sea of Seto to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. Its elongated shape houses a preserved nature, between central mountains and coastal plains. Historically isolated, the island retains distinct local customs. It is divided into four prefectures: Tokushima, Kagawa, Ehime and Kochi. The ensemble forms a territory suitable for traveling trips, whether in connection with the pilgrimage of the 88 temples or through the discovery of its artisanal, agricultural and maritime specialities.

When to go to Shikoku?

The climate is temperate and varied. Spring, from March to May, is an excellent time to see cherry blossoms, especially around castles or temples. The summer is warm and sometimes humid, but suitable for festivals like the Awa Odori. Autumn offers bright colors in the mountains of the interior. Winter, mild on the coast, can be cold in areas at altitude. Some sites remain open all year round, making it a possible destination in all seasons according to interests.

How to move to Shikoku

Shikoku travels easily by train thanks to the JR network, but rural areas and remote temples of the pilgrimage often require the car or bus. Here are the options to combine according to your itinerary.

Travelling by train in Japan

Driving in Japan: permits, rental, rules

The four prefectures of Shikoku

Each Shikoku prefecture has its own identity: Tokushima and its festival Awa Odori, Kagawa and its udon, Ehime and its castle Matsuyama, Kochi and its peaceful coast. This section brings together our articles dedicated to each prefecture.

Tokushima : festival and gorges

Located in the east, Tokushima is famous for the Awa Odori, one of the largest dance festivals in Japan. The city is also a gateway to the first temples of the 88 pilgrimage. The interior is marked by the gorges of Iya, known for their hanging liana bridges and spectacular landscapes.

Tokushima — cultural immersion in the east of Shikoku

Ozu — traditional houses and heritage

Kagawa: gardens and udon

Japan’s smallest prefecture in area is distinguished by its capital, Takamatsu, a point of access to the Ritsurin garden, one of the most beautiful landscaped gardens in the country. Kagawa is also known for its sanuki udon, thick noodles served in many ways. Naoshima Island, famous for its contemporary art, is accessible from its northern coastline.

Takamatsu — Ritsurin Garden, Islands and Visits

Marugame — Kagawa Castle and Specialties

Ehime: castle and onsen

Ehime is dominated by the castle of Matsuyama, one of the few still standing since the feudal era. The city is also known for Dogo Onsen, one of the oldest spa resorts in Japan. The western coast offers beautiful views of the inland sea, including along the Shimanami Kaidō, a cycle route that connects Shikoku with Honshu.

Matsuyama — castle, Dogo Onsen and visits

Museums in Matsuyama

Uchiko — traditional houses and crafts

Kochi: Ocean and Wild Nature

Kochi, south, is facing the Pacific Ocean. The city centre houses a lively street market and a well preserved castle. The interior of the prefecture is wild, crossed by the Shimanto River, often described as the purest of Japan. It is also a region associated with Ryoma Sakamoto, an important historical figure of the Meiji era.

Kochi — historic city of Shikoku

Shimanto — river, nature and activities

Ekingura — night art in candlelight

The pilgrimage of the 88 temples (Shikoku henro)

Shikoku henro is a course of 88 Buddhist temples attributed to the monk Kūkai (Kōbō Daishi), founder of Shingon School. More than 1,200 km long, it can be made on foot, by car or by transport. Many choose sections to travel according to their available time. The pilgrims, calledohenro-san, wear a white outfit, a walking stick and often receive support and hospitality from the inhabitants. The pilgrimage crosses the island in a clockwise direction, starting generally in Tokushima and concluding in Kagawa.

Shikoku henro — pilgrimage of the 88 temples

Once the spiritual stages are set, Shikoku also reveals its natural landscapes: gorges, rivers and forests offer an ideal playground for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Nature and hiking in Shikoku

Between the Iya gorges, the Shimanto valley and the interior mountains, Shikoku seduces travelers who want to combine heritage and outdoors. Here are the articles to prepare your hikes and nature routes.

Shimanto — hiking and nature preserved

Uwajima — Nanrakuen Garden and Nature

Onsen and relaxation in Shikoku

Shikoku has several famous spas, including Dogo Onsen in Matsuyama, one of the oldest in Japan. This section is for travellers who want to make relaxation part of the trip.

Dogo Onsen — Japan’s oldest spa resort

Uchiko — Ehime heritage and onsen

Suggested routes in Shikoku

For a first discovery, a 5- to 7-day circuit can include Takamatsu, Naoshima, Matsuyama, Dogo Onsen and Iya gorges. More adventurous travellers can spend 10 to 15 days on a full tour of the island, including Kochi, Shimanto Valley, Tokushima and portions of the pilgrimage. Bike lovers can follow Shimanami Kaidō from Onomichi. Those who want to combine spirituality and nature can move towards a partial route of the Henro, between rural temples, mountains and remote villages.

Prepare your trip to Shikoku

Accommodation ranges from ryokan to guesthouses and urban hotels. Pilgrim hostels (shukubo) are sometimes available in temples. The JR Shikoku Pass or the All Shikoku Rail Pass are useful for train trips. The main stations have tourist information centres and facilities. For an extended stay, car rental is recommended. In summer, good hydration is required, and in winter warm clothing for mountainous areas.

Explore Shikoku is diving into a discreet, authentic region shaped by seasons, reliefs and beliefs. Whether it is for hiking, relaxing in an onsen, participating in a festival or following the traces of Kūkai, the island offers a range of deeply human experiences, apart from the bustle of the major cities.

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Practical FAQ: preparing your trip to Shikoku